Hook, Jefferson and Belle were all deeply focused on scouring through the small mountain of books they'd gathered up when they heard the front door opening. In unison, they all glanced up to see Emma walk in, followed closely by Mary Margret, David, Henry and Neal. The instant Emma noticed Hook standing there, she stopped short, staring at him. She had not expected to see him here, so she hadn't been able to prepare herself for the shock. Not to mention the sudden wave of turmoil deep in the pit of her chest. No doubt because this had been the first time she'd seen him since the confrontation at the hospital yesterday. And, if the look on his face was any indication, Hook was also aware of the same thing.
Henry, however, showed no indication he noticed the sudden tension.
"Hi, Hook!" he greeted cheerfully.
"Hello there, lad," Hook replied, briefly tearing his eyes away from Emma to give the boy an effortless smile.
"And you're here, too, Jefferson? I'm glad you found your daughter."
"What are you two doing here?" Mary Margret asked, looking between the two men.
"They've been helping me find information about what might have happened to the missing people," Belle explained.
"Really?" Neal said, unable to hold back a chuckle. "Captain Hook and the Mad Hatter hitting the books?"
"I'm surprisingly good at research," Hook responded with a casual shrug. But his grin faded when he noticed the look Emma was still giving him.
"Did you find anything about the flying monkeys?" Henry asked eagerly.
"Flying monkeys?"
"Oh, that's right, you wouldn't have heard. My moms did a stakeout at the bean field last night to see if they could find out who was stealing the magic beans. They ended up driving out a flying monkey, but that's how we figured out it was the Wicked Witch of the West."
"Wait, you're talking about Zelena?" Jefferson inquired. "Is that who we're dealing with?"
"Is there something you know that we don't?" David challenged.
"I was a portal jumper before you destroyed my hat, remember? Oz was one of the many lands I've traveled to. So naturally, I had a brief run-in with her. She nearly lit me on fire when I tried to steal the crystal ball Rumpelstiltskin sent me to obtain. You don't easily forget something like that."
"So, what can you tell us about this Zelena? Do you know why she's targeting us?"
"In that regard, I probably know just as much as you do."
As this conversation was going on, Emma and Hook were completely silent, simply staring at each other. After a nonverbal stand-off, Emma's unreadable expression shifted into a challenging glare as she stalked out of the room. Hook barely was able to hold back his grimace. He knew that look never preceded anything good, but he still turned and went after her. The moment she felt that they were out of earshot, Emma rounded on him.
"I know what this is," she nearly growled.
"Sorry?" Hook responded, looking back at her.
"Trying to be helpful so I'll forgive you."
"I assure you, I'm here because I want to help," Hook insisted. "I have no clandestine motives."
"You expect me to believe that?" In response to this, Hook raised an eyebrow.
"You don't believe me? Try using your superpower."
"Wait, what?" Emma gaped, nearly taking a step back. Whatever response she had been expecting, it certainly wasn't that.
"Use it," Hook persisted. "See that I'm telling the truth." Narrowing her eyes in suspicion, Emma focused on clearing her mind as she studied him closely, searching for the slightest hint of deception. To her chagrin, she saw nothing but honesty reflected back at her.
"Fine," she relented at last. "You want to help? Go right ahead. But don't think this changes anything."
"No," Hook agreed, bowing his head in defeat. "I suppose it won't."
With a barely noticeable shake of her head, Emma turned to head back to rejoin the others, but she stopped in mid-step upon hearing Hook speak up again.
"For whatever it's worth, Swan," he said. "I am sorry." Emma lightly bit her lower lip, feeling a sudden urge to turn back, but she was able to reign it in. She returned to the main room of the library to find everyone had already joined in helping search through Belle's books. Turning a deaf ear to the sound of Hook shuffling in after her, Emma picked up one of the books and began flipping through it. As she began to read, someone placed a hot cup of tea in front of her. Glancing up, she saw Jefferson had been the one serving the tea.
"Thank you," Emma said absentmindedly. However, when the cup was halfway up to her lips, she froze and gave him a calculating stare. Upon noticing this, Jefferson gave her a wry smile.
"Don't worry," he reassured. "It's not drugged this time."
Robin and Regina made their way through the woods, watching the progress of the floating spinning top as it skated past a multitude of trees.
"So, what exactly happened to Roland's mother?" Regina asked.
"After our son was born, I inadvertently placed her in harm's way while I was off on a job."
"Oh, of course. Your stealing from the rich to give to the poor mantra."
"When you steal for yourself, that makes you a thief. But when you steal for someone else, that makes you a hero," Robin retorted. "Anyway, we agreed to meet up at a nearby village when my job was done. But when I made it to the rendezvous spot, there was no sign of her. I tried asking around, but everyone insisted they didn't know anything. I never found out what happened to her. I suspected our enemies back in Nottingham were involved, but I was never able to know for sure. All I know is, if I hadn't gone out on that job, she would still be alive."
"You said she just didn't show up," Regina pointed out. "That doesn't necessarily mean she's dead."
"I know…knew…Marian," Robin replied. "If she was still alive, she would have found a way to return to us. She wouldn't have just vanished like that. Not unless it was against her will. Especially since Roland hadn't been fully weaned yet."
"I'm sorry," Regina said, glancing away. It took her a few seconds to realize she actually meant that 'sorry'.
The pair continued to follow after Roland's spinning top, but they were now staying quiet, listening for any out-of-place sounds that would indicate they were being followed or about to be ambushed. It wasn't until the top left the safety of the trees and glided into a wide-open clearing that they took their eyes off of it. Even then, it was merely to share a brief look before pressing onward. They continued to follow the top up a steep hill where a deserted-looking farmhouse came into view. As they watched, the top slowly floated past the farmhouse before coming to rest on the closed doors of a storm cellar, which was padlocked shut.
"Does that mean…" Robin asked, looking from the top to Regina.
"I believe so," Regina confirmed. "It certainly looks like that's where Roland is." Without further hesitation, Robin strode forward, notching an arrow and preparing to shoot as he walked. Before he could even take five steps, Regina waved a hand, freezing his feet to the ground.
"What are you doing?" Robin cried out, glaring back at her. "My son…."
"I realize that, and I don't blame you for wanting to get him back as soon as possible," Regina responded. "When Henry was abducted and being held prisoner by Pan, I wanted to get him back as soon as possible, and I was frustrated every time Emma and the others even suggested taking a moment to rest or strategize. But perhaps you should let me go first. Just because we can't see her, it doesn't mean the Wicked Witch isn't keeping watch, waiting for someone to come charging in." Robin still looked disgruntled, but he reluctantly gave a nod of agreement, allowing Regina to take the lead.
When they reached the doors to the storm cellar, Regina took a moment to examine the padlock before magically opening it.
"Now," Regina instructed, keeping her voice down. "We have no way of knowing what's down here. Your son might be being guarded, so when I open this door, we should expect something to attack us."
"Regina," Robin huffed. "If you really want me to be on my guard, perhaps you stop trying to magically restrain me and allow me to move?"
"What?" Regina looked back at him in confusion. "What are you talking about? I'm not doing anything to you."
"No, but I am," a new voice called out. Regina immediately was on her feet, staring at the woman making her way off the porch of the farmhouse and walking towards them.
"So, you're the Wicked Witch?" Regina surmised, sizing up her opponent.
"Please, you can call me Zelena."
"Hope you're not expecting me to say that it's a pleasure to meet you. What exactly are you doing in Storybrooke?" The smile on Zelena's face fell ever-so-slightly, but she maintained her proud stance.
"You really don't know who I am, do you?"
"I know exactly who you are. The Wicked Witch."
"Is that all? Cora really never told you about me?" This time, the hurt on Zelena's face was a bit more pronounced.
"Told me what? And how did you know my mother?" Regina demanded
"Same way you do," Zelena snapped. "I'm your sister. Actually, half-sister. But, details, details."
"What?" Regina could only stare at Zelena in shock and confusion. Her sister? She had a sister? "How is that possible?"
"Cora had me first," Zelena explained. "Before she found her way into the dregs of royalty. Our mother gave me up and sent me away. But you? You, she kept. You, she gave everything." Regina couldn't help but roll her eyes at that accusation.
"Everything she wanted. If what you're saying is true, then you were lucky to escape her."
"Enough of the martyr complex, Regina. Try growing up without a mother. Try living in Oz. Knowing that no one thought you were good enough. Not your mother. And not the only man that our paths both crossed. Rumplestiltskin."
"You knew Rumplestiltskin?"
"Did you think you were his only student?"
"Let me guess. You're mad because he chose me to cast his curse. Well, get over it."
"I hate to interrupt the family reunion," Robin spoke up, reminding the two women of his presence. "But there's the matter of my son. He was taken away by one of your winged monkeys."
"Oh, of course," Zelena mused. "The little one. Such a sweet child."
"Give him back!" Robin demanded, trying to fight against the spell Zelena had placed over his feet as he aimed his arrow at her. "Give me back my son!"
"I'm afraid I can't do that," Zelena shrugged. "Oh, don't worry; he's completely unharmed."
"Then what's the point in keeping him?" Regina asked.
"Sorry, Sis, but there's something I need the boy for. And when I'm done, you'll have lost everything that matters." Without another word, Zelena stepped back and waved her arm. Instantly, Regina and Robin were both encased in a cloud of green smoke. When the smoke cleared, they had vanished.
At the town library, it had been unanimously decided to take a quick lunch break. Everyone had been experiencing the initial pangs of hunger, but they'd all tried to ignore them until Henry announced that he was hungry. As everyone was starting to step out to walk down the street to Granny's, Henry looked back to see Jefferson and Hook hadn't moved.
"Hey, don't you want to come, too?" he asked, turning back around. Instantly, the two men looked taken aback at the boy's question.
"Actually, I think I'll help Belle straighten up a bit, first," Jefferson explained, looking like he was feeling a bit awkward about something. Satisfied with that explanation, Henry directed his gaze on Hook, who seemed to be more interested in the floor tiles.
"I appreciate the invite, young sir," he eventually replied. "But…I'm not sure I'd be welcome."
"Why wouldn't you?" Henry questioned, looking from Hook to his family.
"Henry, it's…it's a bit complicated," Emma said, trying to figure out how to explain things to her 11-year-old son.
"But he's one of us," Henry pointed out. "He helped bring all of you to Neverland. He saved Grandpa from the Dreamshade."
"It's okay, lad," Hook said with forced smile. "I'll still be around to help out whenever you need me. You go enjoy your lunch." Without another word, he stepped around everyone and left the library. If he was aware that Emma's eyes were trained on him as he stepped out through the door, he showed no indication of it. The moment he was out on the street, however, a voice cried out, calling out to him.
"Captain! CAPTAIN!" Immediately, Hook's head snapped over in the direction of the voice, seeing Smee hurrying over, moving as quickly as he could. He had to admit he had been relieved to see his first mate had been returned to his true state after Mr. Gold had died. It had seemed that his death had reversed nearly every spell that he'd cast. Although, Smee still claimed to have the occasional dream about cheese.
"Calm down, Mr. Smee," Hook instructed once Smee had reached him. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Emma and the others had also stepped outside, having heard Smee shouting. "What seems to be the trouble?"
"Sir, it's Starkey!" Smee explained, fighting to catch his breath. "He…he's turned up!"
"Starkey?" Hook exclaimed, instantly on the alert. "Where is he?" For a brief moment, Emma was sure she saw Hook cast a glance in her direction, but he turned back to Smee far too quickly for her to confirm that.
"He stumbled onto the deck of the Jolly Roger about two minutes ago and just collapsed. Bill Jukes and Robert Mullins are with him, but I left to find you." Upon hearing that, Hook immediately took off running towards the Jolly Roger with Smee on his heels. With little hesitation, Emma, David, Mary Margret, Neal, Henry, Belle and Jefferson followed, visibly curious and concerned.
"Who's Starkey?" Belle called after Hook and Smee.
"A member of my crew," Hook explained over his shoulder. "He was added to the list of people who went missing yesterday."
Before long, the group reached the Jolly Roger, where they found Starkey lying unconscious on his back, with Bill and Robert crouching next to him. Both men moved aside when Hook stepped foot on deck.
"Starkey!" Hook spoke urgently, kneeling next to the unresponsive man and slapping at his cheeks in an attempt to wake him up. "Starkey, wake up, mate!" When Starkey still showed no sign of movement, Hook turned to address the other two men. "What happened? Tell me everything!"
"We were making plans for careening the ship when Starkey suddenly appeared," Robert explained. "He was in a bad way, staggering up the gangway and clutching at his arm. He also seemed to be dragging his leg. The moment he set foot on deck, he asked for you. But then, he just collapsed. We've been trying to revive him, but nothing seems to work."
"Captain, his arm," Bill spoke up. "It looks like he was bitten by something." Immediately, Hook glanced at the arm in question to examine the wound.
"I've never seen a bite like that before," he mused.
"Neither have I," David agreed. "Hold on; I'm calling for an ambulance. Maybe Dr. Whale can…." Before David could finish his thought, Starkey began to convulse violently.
"Quick, hold him down," Hook instructed, grabbing onto Starkey's unwounded arm. Robert, David and Neal all stepped forward to assist him, but the moment the four men had taken hold of Starkey's limbs, his shaking became even more agitated. Out of nowhere, a long prehensile tail shot out from beneath the man, knocking everyone within its reach to the ground. When everyone turned to look back at Starkey, they could only watch in horrified amazement as the pirate turned into a flying monkey before their eyes. The monkey that had once been Starkey glared back at everyone before spreading his wings and flying off, letting out an earsplitting shriek as he went.
"Okay, I didn't see that one coming," David said, breaking the shocked silence.
Across town, Regina and Robin rematerialized outside Regina's mansion. Immediately, Robin was on the warpath.
"We were so close!" he cried. "My son is…."
"I know," Regina nodded. "This isn't over; we'll get him back."
"But what could she be planning to do with him? What does Roland have to do with her grievance with you?"
"I don't know. But I'm going to find out," Regina vowed. "She invaded my space. When I return the favor, I'm not pulling any punches."
Before Robin could reply to that, Regina's cell phone began to ring. Glancing down at the caller ID, she saw that it was Emma calling.
"Miss Swan, this isn't the….." Regina trailed off as she heard what Emma was saying, her eyes widening in surprise. "Could you say that again?!"
AN: I really struggled at getting this chapter written. It can get a bit annoying going back and forth to make sure the dialogue in certain scenes reflects what actually happened in canon. This was especially true with Regina's first encounter with Zelena. While Zelena was a rather formidable villain in the Wizard of Oz arc, she did get on my nerves a bit. But now that I got that scene out of the way, the rest of the story should be easy to write.
However, it was a bit fun to introduce some members of Hook/Killian's crew. While it was implied a good chunk of the crew died in Neverland, I have a hard time believing Smee was the only surviving crew member from those days. There must have been others who lived as well.